18 Solutions for When Your Bob Starts to Grow Out

Decided a shorter look isn't for you? No worries. These strategies will make the growing-out process as painless as possible--no headband required.

Decided a shorter look isn't for you? No worries. These strategies will make the growing-out process as painless as possible—no headband required.

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Anne Hathaway

“It’s usually better to keep the nape area a little tighter as the top grows, as this will help to avoid any mullet situations,” says Cutler/Redken styling and grooming expert Jenny Balding. Here, Anne's upper layers are longer, while the back is neat and choppy bangs frame her eyes.

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Michelle Williams

Regular touch-ups are the trick to looking chic at an in-between length. “You must have a textured edge throughout the haircut to maintain the look’s effortless feel,” says Balding.

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Charlize Theron

Charlize’s cut remains polished-looking as it gets longer on the top. “She has the back tailored beautifully into the nape and the top longer with some soft layering,” says Balding. Style by applying a straightening cream such as Redken Align 12 Protective Straightening Lotion ($18) and then blow-dry, using an oval brush to pull hair toward the back on each side. Finish by using your fingers to sweep hair to one side to avoid a harsh part.

A rounded cut helps soften the edge when you move from short hair to a chin-length style. “A good stylist might actually make it so you enjoy the next stage and don’t even think about going longer,” says Balding.

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Audrey Tatou

Spritz a longer pixie with Curly Sexy Hair Curl Reactivator ($17.50) and scrunch for a wavy look. “If your hair is straight, try using a one-inch curling iron to slightly wave a few sections all over, mist with a light hairspray, and shake out for a new style instantly,” instructs Balding. “This will help disguise an awkward in-between length if you haven't had a chance to see your stylist yet.”

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Katharine McPhee

Highlights along the tips give the illusion of a face-framing rounded cut when you’re adding length.

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Rose Byrne

As hair hits your shoulders, a nearly blunt cut looks trendy and effortless—and you can always cut in more layers as hair grows longer.

Keep longer bangs textured with regular touch-ups at the salon so they don’t become too heavy or chunky around your face. As they grow, gently layered bangs can be incorporated into the rest of your hair.

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Ellen Page

Once your bangs hit ear-length, they’ve almost become face-framing layers. Try parting hair and working the shorter pieces into wavy hair.

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Catherine Bell

Sweeping hair to one side (secure with a bobby pin or barrette if necessary) is a pretty way to give the illusion of longer hair. “Straight styles tend to contribute to that awkward ‘in-between stage,’ adding weight and giving a boxy appearance,” says Willhite. Your stylist should look at the outline of your cut and eliminate the bulky areas, which will make your hair lie better.

Wavy hair is way more forgiving than straight as you let the back grow out—and a layered bob still looks nice as it skims the shoulders.

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Melanie Griffith

“The best way to grow out bangs is to have the ends slightly textured,” says Balding. "That way, they soften the look when they are down but are versatile enough to sweep to one side.” Eyebrow-skimming fringe has a sexy Brigitte Bardot effect, but can quickly grow to side-swept bangs.

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Julia Garner

A rounded, curly look is usually ill-advised, but this slightly longer style with sharp curls is adorable—and will continue to look great as the back gets longer.

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Lizzy Caplan

Waves and bangs soften an in-between 'do. “Keeping hair strong and healthy promotes growth,” says Willhite, adding that you should commit to regular trims and deep-condition at home.

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